Facsimile apparatus and method for printing facsimile

ABSTRACT

A facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment includes a communication interface that receives facsimile data, a data storage device, a non-decolorable printing section, a decolorable printing section and a processor. The data storage device stores, prior to the facsimile data being received, a plurality of facsimile transmission source information. The data storage device also stores the received facsimile data. The processor controls printing of the content of the received facsimile data in one of the non-decolorable printing section and the decolorable printing section based on whether a detected transmission source information is determined to be included in the previously stored plurality of facsimile transmission source information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/965,290, filed on Aug. 13, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a facsimile apparatusand a method for printing a facsimile.

BACKGROUND

Recently, an apparatus in which letters and images printed on a paperare decolored so that the paper can be used again, has becomepracticable. Such an apparatus has an advantage that the paper, which isdecolored can be used many times and paper can be saved. However, thereare some apparatus in which printing without decoloring is preferabledepending on a content of printed data. In addition, an image formingapparatus that includes a mechanism which performs printing using ageneral non-decoloring recording material and a mechanism which performsprinting using a decolorable recording material is known.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus, according to afirst embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus, according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of a printing mode controlsection, according to first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example flowchart of operations, according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a setting screen example of a printing mode,according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second setting screen example of the printing mode,according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example flowchart of operations, according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display example of a received FAX list, accordingto the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide a facsimile apparatus and a method for printing afacsimile which easily perform a non-decolorable printing selectivelydepending on conditions.

A facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a receivingsection configured to receive facsimile data, a data storage sectionconfigured to store the facsimile data received by the receivingsection, a non-decolorable printing section configured to print acontent of the facsimile data using a non-decolorable recordingmaterial, and a decolorable printing section configured to print thecontent of the facsimile data using a decolorable recording material.The facsimile apparatus further comprises a transmission sourceinformation detection section configured to detect transmission sourceinformation of the received facsimile data, an accumulation sectionconfigured to accumulate in advance a list containing a plurality offacsimile transmission source information, a comparison sectionconfigured to determine whether the detected transmission sourceinformation of the received facsimile data is included in the list and aprinting control section configured to control printing of the contentof the received facsimile data in the non-decolorable printing sectionor in the decolorable printing section, based on the determination bythe comparison section.

Hereinafter, an embodiment applied to a multi-function peripheral (MFP)will be described with reference to the drawings. In the presentdisclosure, “decolor” and related derivative words are usedinterchangeably with “erase” and related derivative words.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a multi-function peripheral(MFP) 10, according to a first embodiment. The MFP 10 includes an imagereading section 11 which scans a document for transmitting facsimile(FAX) data or for copying, a non-decolorable printing section 12 a whichperforms printing using a general non-decolorable recording material, adecolorable printing section 12 b which performs the printing using adecolorable recording material, a general paper tray 14 a which containsgeneral paper, a decolorized paper tray 14 b which contains reusablepaper that has been erased of images, and a finisher device 16 providedin an output port 15 from which the printed paper is discharged.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the MFP 10. The MFP 10 includesthe image reading section 11, a network IF section 21 which performstransmitting and receiving data with other apparatuses via a networksuch as the Internet, a printing data storage section 22 which storesprinting data or the like from other apparatuses or from the imagereading section 11, a printing mode control section 23 which determinesa printing mode based on the data stored in the printing data storagesection 22, a printing section 12 which performs the printing using ageneral non-decolorable recording material or the printing using adecolorable recording material by inputting the printing data stored inthe printing data storage section 22, a paper tray section 14 whichcontains the general paper and paper on which a decoloring process hasbeen performed, a paper selection control section 24 which selects thepaper used in the printing based on a determination result in theprinting mode control section 23, a printing output section 25 whichoutputs the paper printed by the non-decolorable printing section 12 aand the decolorable printing section 12 b, a telephone IF section 26which is connected to a telephone line and performs transmitting andreceiving of data, a display section 27 which performs the display andan overall control section 28 which controls each section.

The printing section 12 includes the non-decolorable printing section 12a, which performs printing by receiving printing data stored in theprinting data storage section 22 and by using the generalnon-decolorable recording material. The printing section 12 alsoincludes the decolorable printing section 12 b which performs printingby using the decolorable recording material. The paper tray section 14includes the general paper tray 14 a which contains general paper andthe decolorized paper tray 14 b which contains decolorized paper.

The printing mode control section 23 determines whether the printingshould be performed by the non-decolorable printing section 12 a or thedecolorable printing section 12 b. The printing mode control section 23controls the printing section 12 accordingly, and the determinationresult is transmitted to the paper selection control section 24. Thepaper selection control section 24 selects whether decolorable paper istaken from the decolorized paper tray 14 b or general paper is takenfrom the general paper tray 14 a. The selected paper is transported tothe printing section 12.

In the non-decolorable printing section 12 a, printing is performed onthe paper taken out from the general paper tray 14 a or the decolorizedpaper tray 14 b, using non-decolorable recording material. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the non-decolorable printing section 12 aincludes photoconductive drums 12K, 12C, 12M and 12Y, an intermediatetransfer belt 12B and a fixing device 12F.

Latent images corresponding to color data of black (K), cyan (C),magenta (M) and yellow (Y) are formed on the photoconductive drums 12K,12C, 12M and 12Y, respectively. After that, toners of the colorscorresponding to the latent images are supplied from a developing roller(not illustrated), developed, and then transferred as toner images ontothe intermediate transfer belt 12B.

The toner images of each color transferred onto the intermediatetransfer belt 12B are secondarily transferred onto the paper in atransfer position T. The paper, with the secondarily transferred tonerimages, is transported to and fixed in the fixing device 12F. Afterthat, the paper is discharged from the printing output section 25 via anoutput port, and is sent to the finisher device 16.

The decolorable printing section 12 b is an ink jet type printing devicewhich performs the image printing by using, for example, decolorable inkthat is a decolorable colorant as the decolorable recording material.The decolorable printing section 12 b includes printing heads 10K, 10C,10M and 10Y corresponding to decolorable inks of black (K), cyan (C),magenta (M) and yellow (Y), respectively, and performs the printing onthe recording paper with the decolorable ink by ejecting thecorresponding ink from each printing head.

In addition, for the decolorable ink that is the decolorable colorant,for example, leuco dye or the like can be used. The decolorable ink isdecolored at approximately 80° C. to 100° C. when heated.

The image reading section 11 is a general image reading device whichgenerally includes a copy function, an image scanner function or thelike. The image reading section 11 is also used when scanning thedocument and obtaining the facsimile data to be transmitted via thetelephone line IF section 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of the printing mode controlsection 23. The printing mode control section 23 includes a transmissionsource information detection section 31 which detects information or thelike of a transmission source of the received FAX, a telephone numberaccumulation section 32 which registers a telephone number in advance ona non-decolorable printing permission list and a decolorable printingpermission list depending on the printing mode, a telephone numbercomparison section 33 which compares the telephone number registered inthe telephone number accumulation section 32 with the telephone numberdetected by the transmission source information detection section 31 anddetermines whether printing should proceed with decolorable printing ornon-decolorable printing, a reception list making section 34 which makesa list of the received FAXes, a FAX content display control section 35which displays a content of the FAX data on a display screen of thedisplay section 27, a mode selection input section 36 which accepts auser input for selecting the printing mode, a printing mode storagesection 37 which stores the selected printing mode as described below,and a mode determination control section 38 which controls each section.

The FAX receiving information and the FAX data are received in theprinting data storage section 22 and the printing mode control section23, for example, via the telephone line IF section 26. The received FAXdata is stored in the printing data storage section 22. A received date,time, content or the like of the FAX data stored in the printing datastorage section 22 is sent to the reception list making section 34 andis stored with the telephone number or the like detected in thetransmission source information detection section 31.

In the embodiment, there are three modes defining whether printing ofthe FAX data is to be performed with the non-decolorable printingsection 12 a or with the decolorable printing section 12 b. A firstprinting mode is a printing mode in which all printing is performed inthe decolorable printing section 12 b. A second printing mode is aprinting mode in which printing is performed in the decolorable printingsection 12 b when the telephone number of a transmission source of theFAX data is not acquired and is not included in a registration telephonenumber list. A third printing mode is a printing mode in which printingis performed in the decolorable printing section 12 b when the telephonenumber of the transmission source of the FAX data is listed in theregistration number list.

A display example of the mode setting screen, in which setting of thethree printing modes is displayed on the display screen of the displaysection 27, is illustrated in FIG. 5. Buttons are displayed forselection of the first printing mode, the second printing mode and thethird printing mode and one of these is selected. Other settings areshown on a selection screen illustrated in FIG. 6 and the setting isperformed by selecting these. The selection of the decolorable printingcan be performed individually. Icons for canceling and registration arealso displayed. If the setting is registered, the setting is saved.

In addition, in the second printing mode, the telephone numbers in theregistration number list stored in the telephone number accumulationsection 32 and the received telephone number of the transmission sourceof the FAX are compared in the telephone number comparison section 33.If the telephone number of the transmission source is listed in thelist, the non-decolorable printing is performed. If the telephone numberof the transmission source is not listed in the list and if thetelephone number of the calling source cannot be acquired from thetransmission source telephone number, the decolorable printing isperformed.

In the third printing mode, the telephone numbers in the registrationnumber list stored in the telephone number accumulation section 32 andthe telephone number of the transmission source of the received FAX arecompared in the telephone number comparison section 33. Then, if thetelephone number of the transmission source is listed in the list, thedecolorable printing is performed. If the transmission source telephonenumber is not listed in the list, the non-decolorable printing isperformed.

That is, the printing is performed in accordance with the printing modeselected in advance by the user on the screen of the display section 27illustrated in FIG. 5. The selected printing mode is input and stored inthe printing mode storage section 37.

Next, the operation of the embodiment is described, based on theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 4. In act A401, whether or not the FAX isreceived via the telephone line IF section 26 is monitored. When the FAXis received, access to the printing mode storage section 37 is performedand which one of the three printing modes is the current printing modeis detected. If the printing mode is the first printing mode, theprocess moves to act A403 and the decolorable printing is performed inthe decolorable printing section 12 b.

If the printing mode is not the first printing mode (NinA402), it isdetermined in act A404 whether or not the printing mode is the secondprinting mode. If the printing mode is not the second printing mode, inact A405, it is determined whether or not the printing mode is the thirdprinting mode.

In act A404, if it is determined (Y in A404) that the printing mode isthe second printing mode, in act A406, the registration number liststored in the telephone number accumulation section 32 is read.

Next, in act A407, it is determined whether or not the telephone numberof the transmission source of the FAX data is in the registration numberlist. The determination is carried out by comparing the telephonenumbers of the registration number list stored in the telephone numberaccumulation section 32 and the received telephone number of thetransmission source of the FAX in the telephone number comparisonsection 33.

If the telephone number of the transmission source which is received islisted in the registration number list (Y in A407), the non-decolorableprinting is performed in act A408. On the other hand, if the telephonenumber of the transmission source which is received is not listed in theregistration number list (N in A407), the process moves to act A405. Inact A405, it is determined whether or not the printing mode is the thirdprinting mode by querying the printing mode storage section 37.

In act A409, if the printing mode is the third printing mode, theregistration number list is read from the telephone number accumulationsection 32 and it is determined whether or not the telephone number ofthe transmission source of the FAX which is received is listed in thelist by comparing the telephone numbers in the telephone numbercomparison section 33 in act 410.

If the telephone number of the transmission source of the received FAXdata is present in the registration number list (Y in A410), the processproceeds to act A403 and the decolorable printing of the received FAX isperformed.

On the other hand, in act A410, when the telephone number of thetransmission source of the received FAX data is not in the registrationnumber list, the process proceeds to act A408 and the non-decolorableprinting is performed in the non-decolorable printing section 12 a onthe general paper or the decolorable paper taken out from the generalpaper tray.

In addition, in act A405, even if it is determined that the printingmode is not the third printing mode, the process proceeds to act A403and the decolorable printing is performed in the decolorable printingsection 12 b.

According to the embodiment, decolorable or non-decolorable printing isautomatically selected and the printing is performed accordingly,without the user deciding which type printing is performed when aparticular FAX is received.

(Second Embodiment)

In the above described first embodiment, the received FAX data isautomatically decolorable printed or non-decolorable printed dependingon the printing mode and the telephone registration number list.However, in a second embodiment, whether the decolorable printing isperformed or the non-decolorable printing is performed can be decidedwhile the user looks at the list or the content of the received FAXdata.

The second embodiment is now described. An example configuration of theembodiment is similar to FIGS. 2 and 3. An example flowchart ofoperations of the embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7.

In act A701, the received FAX data is accumulated in the data storagesection 22. In act A702, the received FAX list of the received FAXes ismade in the reception list making section 34.

In act A703, it is determined whether or not the user requests displayof the received FAXes. The request by the user is performed on thescreen with a display button (not illustrated) of the display section27. In act A704, if the request is received from the user in act A703,the received FAX list is displayed on the display screen of the displaysection 27. A display example thereof is illustrated in FIG. 8. Thetelephone number of the transmission source of the received FAX asdescribed above or a name of the other party, received date and time,and the number of the received sheets are displayed in the receptionorder.

In act A705, the user specifies one case in the received FAX list, whichis desired to be printed. The user specifies the case, for example, by acursor 81 of the mouse on the display screen.

In act A706, a phrase (not illustrated) querying whether or not thecontent of the received FAX data of the specified case is to bedisplayed on the screen. It is then determined whether or not the userrequests the display of the content of the received FAX data of thespecified case.

When the user requests the display of the content of the received FAXdata of the specified case (Y in A706), the content of the received FAXdata of the specified case is displayed on the display screen of thedisplay section 27 in act A707. After that, the process returns to thescreen illustrated in FIG. 8 again.

In act A708, instruction of the printing mode is performed by clickingan icon 83 of the decolorable printing or an icon 84 of non-decolorableprinting, after the user identifies the content of the received FAXdata.

Accordingly, in act A709, the printing for which the mode is instructed,in other words, the decolorable printing or the non-decolorable printingis performed.

In act A710, when the printing of the received FAXes which are desiredto be printed by the user is not finished yet (N in A710), the processreturns to the act A705 again and the received FAX which is desired tobe printed is specified. As described above, the process returns to actA701 and the received FAX data is accumulated and the received FAX listis made in act A702, after the user completes the printing of allreceived FAXes which are desired to be printed. Of course, receiving ofthe FAX data and making of the list thereof in act A701 and act A702 arecontinued in parallel even when the printing is performed as describedabove.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to decide whether thedecolorable printing or the non-decolorable printing is performed whilelooking at the content of the received FAXes. Accordingly, it ispossible to reduce sufficiently the FAXes for which the non-decolorableprinting is performed and the effect of paper saving is large.

In an alternative embodiment, the first embodiment and the secondembodiment described maybe joined together. In other words, a list canbe made in advance indicating that fax data received from listedtelephone numbers is to be printed in the decolorable printing section12 b or in the non-decolorable printing 12 a, and then the user canselect the printing mode of only the received FAXes which are notincluded in the list.

In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 7, a special type ofFAX—for example, a confidential FAX—may be displayed in the received FAXlist in FIG. 8. It is also possible to set that the printing is, forexample, performed in the non-decolorable printing section 12 a. Inaddition, it is also possible to set the display for the special type ofFAX in advance so that the content is not displayed.

In the above embodiments, the MFP having the facsimile function isdescribed. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the MFPand may be generally applied to a facsimile apparatus which transmitsand receives FAX data.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the facsimileapparatus can easily perform the non-decolorable printing and thedecolorable printing selectively in accordance with the conditions.

In the above embodiments, it is determined whether the decolorableprinting is performed or the non-decolorable printing is performed bycomparing the telephone numbers. However, generally, it is not limitedto the telephone number and it may be the information which specifiesthe transmission source. In the above embodiments, the case where thefacsimile data is received via the telephone line (the telephone line IFsection) is described. However, an exemplary embodiment is not limitedto this case and it is possible to obtain a similar effect even thoughthe facsimile data is received via a network (a network IF section).

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a communicationinterface configured to receive facsimile data; a data storage device; anon-decolorable printing section configured to print a content of thefacsimile data on a recording medium using a non-decolorable colorant; adecolorable printing section configured to print the content of thefacsimile data on a recording medium using a decolorable colorant; and aprocessor configured to: control the data storage device to store, priorto the facsimile data being received, a plurality of facsimiletransmission source information, control the data storage device tostore the received facsimile data, detect transmission sourceinformation of the received facsimile data, determine whether thedetected transmission source information is included in the previouslystored plurality of facsimile transmission source information, andcontrol printing of the content of the received facsimile data based onwhether the detected transmission source information is determined to beincluded in the the received facsimile data is printed in one of thenon-decolorable printing section and the decolorable printing sectionwhen transmission source information is determined to be included in thepreviously stored plurality of facsimile transmission sourceinformation, and the received facsimile data is printed in the other oneof the non-decolorable printing section and the decolorable printingsection when the detected transmission source information is determinedto not be included in the previously stored plurality of facsimiletransmission source information.
 2. The facsimile apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the processor controls printing of the content of thefacsimile data in the decolorable printing section when the detectedtransmission source information is determined to be included in thepreviously stored plurality of facsimile transmission sourceinformation.
 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe processor controls printing of the content of the facsimile data inthe non-decolorable printing section when the detected transmissionsource information is determined to be included in the previously storedplurality of facsimile transmission source information.
 4. The facsimileapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission sourceinformation is a telephone number.
 5. The facsimile apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the decolorable colorant is a heat decolorablecolorant that is decolored by heating to a decolorable temperature orhigher.
 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an input section configured to receive a printing mode inputselection from a user, wherein: if the received printing mode inputselection corresponds to a first printing mode, the processor controlsprinting of the content of the facsimile data in the decolorableprinting section when the detected transmission source information isdetermined to be included in the previously stored plurality offacsimile transmission source information, and if the received printingmode input selection corresponds to a second printing mode, theprocessor controls printing of the content of the facsimile data in thenon-decolorable printing section when the detected transmission sourceinformation is determined to be included in the previously storedplurality of facsimile transmission source information.
 7. The facsimileapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls printingof the content of the facsimile data in the decolorable printing sectionwhen the transmission source information of the received facsimile datacannot be determined.